Risks to soil biodiversity on the islands of the South Pacific.

Abstract

Soil biota provide valuable ecosystem service, and their genetic resources have the potential to evolve and adapt to environmental changes. However, the rate and extent of climate change may be beyond the adaptive capability of many biological systems. Knowing the status of soil biodiversity is therefore vital for devising strategies to stabilize ecosystems by regulating nutrient, carbon and water cycles. However, there is currently little information on soil biodiversity in the South Pacific and its potential to respond to climate change and other environmental stresses. Globally, Europe has taken the lead to extensively study and collate information on soil biodiversity and its functions, and devise relevant policies and strategies. The development of a soil biodiversity inventory for the South Pacific would help determine the predominant soil organisms present and establish baseline data. The selection of a few indicator species groups to serve as standards could allow financially limited researchers to contribute to the monitoring of environmental impacts. This information would help identify appropriate soil management technologies to build resilience in agricultural systems, thus contributing to ensure food security. Other research areas for consideration include biological functions of soil biota, soil ecosystem services, traditional cultivation methods and genetic potential. Judicial use of current knowledge on the importance of mangrove forests in the carbon cycle, biosphere reserves in biodiversity conservation, and soil management technologies could increase soil organic matter and nutrients and reduce soil erosion and habitat loss.